NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 31, 2024
The hockey world is in mourning over the tragic deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Reaction and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
ESPN.COM: Details emerged on Friday regarding the deaths of Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. Both men were struck by a vehicle while riding bicycles in their home state of New Jersey on Thursday.
The police report indicates the brothers were struck from behind by a Jeep Grand Cherokee as the driver attempted to pass an SUV on the right that had moved over to make room for the two cyclists.
Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau (NHL Images).
The driver, Sean Higgins, 43, is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol. He has been charged with two counts of death by auto, reckless driving, possession of an open container, and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.
The affidavit indicates Higgins failed a field sobriety test. The police investigation is ongoing.
NHL.COM: Jim Gaudreau, the uncle of Johnny and Matthew, released the following statement on Friday:
“Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers-in-law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends but truly two amazing humans.”
“We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. We ask for your continued respect and privacy during this very difficult period of grief.
“From all our families and the bottom of our hearts (the Gaudreau, Morris, Korbitz, Venello and Joyce Families).”
The Blue Jackets and Gaudreau’s former team, the Calgary Flames, released statements Friday expressing their sorrow over the brothers’ deaths, praising Johnny’s playing career and his involvement in both communities, and expressing support for both men’s families.
SPORTSNET/THE SCORE: Tributes to the Gaudreau brothers and expressions of sympathy for their families poured in on Friday from teams and players around the NHL and the sports world.
They included Johnny’s former Calgary Flames teammates Matthew Tkachuk, Rasmus Andersson, Blake Coleman and Mikael Backlund, Pittsburgh Penguins center Kevin Hayes, former Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, former Blue Jackets teammate Cam Atkinson, Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, Washington Capitals winger TJ Oshie, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, NHL Players Association executive director Marty Walsh, Boston College (including former coach Jerry York), the NHL Alumni Association, the IIHF, USHL and USA Hockey.
Hockey Hall of Famers Bernie Parent, Lanny McDonald and Henrik Lundqvist, former NHL executive Brian Burke, NBA superstar LeBron James, Major League Baseball (including Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout and the Philadelphia Phillies), the Philadelphia Eagles (including quarterback Jalen Hurts), the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders were also among those who expressed their condolences, as did Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
DAILY FACEOFF/CALGARY SUN: Fans gathered outside Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Friday to place flowers, sticks, and other items in memory of Johnny Gaudreau. The 31-year-old winger signed with the Blues Jackets as a free agent in July 2022.
Fans in Calgary did the same outside the Saddledome where Gaudreau spent nine seasons with the Flames.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael Traikos remembered the 5’9”, 163-pound Gaudreau as a trailblazer for smaller players to achieve stardom in the NHL.
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline believes Gaudreau’s inspiring skill transcended his undersized stature.
TSN/SPORTSNET: Johnny is being remembered as a star who always put his family first. He signed with the Blue Jackets in 2022 to be closer to his parents and relatives.
Eric Francis called Gaudreau “a soft-spoken, gentle soul” who never rejected an autograph seeker, a media request or an opportunity to get involved in the community.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A GoFundMe page has been set up to provide financial support for Matthew Gaudreau’s family. His wife Madeline is expecting their first child in four months. Many NHL players and their spouses, including Johnny’s Blue Jackets teammate and close friend Sean Monahan, have contributed.
There will be no NHL Rumor Mill updates today. The next update will be Sunday, September 1.
A hockey discussion board moment of silence. That’s a nice gesture Lyle.
Beyond sad.
Thoughts and prayers to the Gudreau family.
What a decent man you are, Lyle.
Get this! What an absolute excuse for a human being!
https://ottawasun.com/news/world/alleged-drunk-driver-who-killed-johnny-gaudreau-brother-looks-dejected-after-learning-hes-stuck-in-jail-over-the-weekend
“During a virtual court appearance Friday, the alleged drunk driver who fatally struck NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother looked dejected when a judge told him he was going to be spending the weekend behind bars.
“So … I’m here until Thursday?” an exasperated Higgins asked Judge Michael J. Silvanio when he learned he would be held in jail over the long weekend.”
The guy will likely get 20 years in jail plus there will be a massive civil suit filed against him, so he’ll likely owe the families millions, hundreds of millions perhaps. Not sure why he’s worried about Thursday.
Brock re: “massive civil suit filed against him, so he’ll likely owe the families millions, hundreds of millions perhaps.” — I’ve seen this sort of penalty reported before in the U.S. … but where does that money come from if the convicted doesn’t have a pot to pee in to begin with?
Basically you’re right George. The family wouldn’t see much of anything from this dirt bag.
However, it usually can put liens on any property owned etc. any type of money he may come into, lottery (not likely) inheritance etc. can also be tied up. It does vary by state.
If it’s someone with little financials it doesn’t do a ton but it would likely severely limit any kind of future financials as well as wipe away most, if not all, current assets. Doesn’t make anything better at the end of the day beyond further punishment but this guy will likely be in jail until his mid-60s and won’t be retiring at an Italian villa.
Brock, insurance carrier would normally pay out the policy to the families. Considering that’s it’s a guy living in a small town I highly doubt he had too large of a policy. May be able to seek arbitration from their own carrier if the driver is under insured. Don’t know how that works in NJ, If they recover a huge judgment against him, they can seek to attach and seize any assets the guy could have. But if there’s nothing there to seize, that wouldn’t be worth much. Trivial in the larger scheme of things. Hope he gets many years in jail to think about what he did.
Known and loved. The entire city of Calgary is in mourning
Scored a goal his first game and 605 points in 602 games as a Flame. Many many highlight reel plays. Brought you out of your seat on a nightly basis and created hope for the entire city
His number assured to be in the rafters for evermore .
Thoughts and prayers ….
He should also go into the Hall Of Fame at the first opportunity.
I seen the video of that pos, not happy he has to spend the long weekend locked up.
Showed zero remorse, Get use to being locked up, hopefully you’re there a long, long time.
Not diminishing the drinking part; however, I think this guy doing the same thing sober. He probably thought the guy in front of him moved to the center to block him from passing and his road rage set in. The drinking will hopefully add years to the sentence.
Just a total POS Caper. I had to turn it off.
Holding my kids a little while longer the last couple days fellas. These awful events remind you that life is a privilege that can be taken away at any moment.
Truly tragic.
I hope this pos is made an example of for taking two lives.
I honestly don’t understand the total selfishness of getting behind the wheel impaired.
You’d think that even being a selfish pos, the fear of a dui or the possibility of much bigger charges like , hurting or killing someone would instill the fear of not wanting to go to jail or prison would kick in.
Uber, Lyft, taxi’s etc, friends , family. Zero excuse to get behind the wheel even slightly impaired!
Zero!
I pray for this entire family! The more that comes out, the more tragic this story becomes.
Every player in the NHL should wear a patch with the No. 13 on it to honor a true professional in every sense of the word!
Good idea.
Something else I’d like to see done as well … the Senstors. in the penalty for the Dadonov screw-up, must relinquish their 1st round pick in either next summer’s draft or the one after.
Whichever one they choose, rather than just move everyone else up a notch who were picking after Ottawa’s slot, why not give that pick to Columbus, effectively giving them two 1st round picks in that draft?
Sr and put the MADD logo right below his number.
I have been reviewing this incident with tears in my eyes
I have experienced an incident in 2001, where I lost my partner in life , as per an impaired driver .,
U never truly get over it
I can’t even imagine Ken … and you just know their sister and her fiance, not to mention both extended families, are destined for a bitter-sweet day when they do hold the wedding.
The crime that will keep on hurting.
@George
I can’t imagine the family , family – and friends turmoil …
I believe this wedding was yesterday , day after the horrific … I am lost words to be quite honest !
Ps .. my partner was of Finnish athletic background -figure skater , brother , drafted in the 3rd round way back when , friends to this day are in disbelief , I haven’t moved on ?!?!?!